CVE-2017-13303 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
A information disclosure vulnerability in the Broadcom bcmdhd driver. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-71359108. References: B-V2018010501.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2020
The CVE-2017-13303 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Broadcom bcmdhd driver component of Android kernel implementations. This vulnerability specifically affects the wireless networking subsystem and arises from improper handling of memory operations within the driver's kernel space code. The issue manifests when the driver processes certain network packets or performs memory allocation operations without adequate bounds checking or validation mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from a classic buffer over-read condition where the driver accesses memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory contents to user-space applications. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can reveal kernel memory layouts, cryptographic keys, or other confidential system data that could be leveraged by malicious actors to escalate privileges or conduct further attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted network packets or specific driver interactions that trigger the flawed memory handling logic. When the bcmdhd driver processes malformed or specially constructed wireless frames, it fails to properly validate input parameters before accessing kernel memory regions. This flaw can be categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, where the driver reads memory beyond allocated buffer limits. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its kernel-level nature, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive information such as kernel pointers, stack contents, or other confidential data that would normally remain protected within the kernel's memory space. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data hijacking and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the disclosed information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13303 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more severe security breaches within Android devices. Devices running affected kernel versions become vulnerable to privilege escalation attacks where attackers can use the leaked memory information to bypass kernel security mechanisms such as address space layout randomization or kernel address obfuscation. The vulnerability affects all Android devices utilizing the Broadcom bcmdhd driver, particularly those with wireless networking capabilities, making it a widespread concern across numerous mobile platforms. This issue represents a significant concern for enterprise environments where Android devices handle sensitive corporate data, as the information disclosure could potentially expose internal network structures or authentication credentials. The vulnerability's persistence in the kernel space means that standard user-level protections are ineffective, requiring system-level patches or kernel updates to remediate the issue. Organizations must implement immediate mitigation strategies including kernel updates, driver patches, and network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13303 primarily focus on implementing timely kernel updates from device manufacturers and Google. The recommended approach involves applying the latest security patches that address the buffer over-read condition in the bcmdhd driver implementation. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected Android devices, particularly those in high-risk environments or handling sensitive data. Additional defensive measures include implementing network traffic monitoring to detect abnormal packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and configuring device security policies to restrict wireless network access where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of kernel-level security testing and proper input validation in driver components, as highlighted by industry standards such as the CWE guidelines for secure coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections and memory integrity checks to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining continuous monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in other kernel components. Regular security assessments of wireless driver implementations are essential to identify and remediate similar information disclosure vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild.